Man who stole bach ordered to pay reparations

A Wellington businessman who stole a bach from a camping ground at Mahia, northern Hawke's Bay, was yesterday ordered to pay $27,500 in reparation in Wellington District Court.

Craig Nisbet, 45, was found guilty of stealing a bach owned by Doug Banks of Havelock North and Ross Mear of Wellington after he bought the camping ground at Mahia, north-east of Wairoa, in 2004.

Nisbet shifted the bach off the camping ground, and later sold it.

Nisbet had billed Mr Banks and Mr Mear $2659 for moving the bach, which they refused to pay because they had not been given an opportunity to move it themselves.

Mr Mear discovered in January 2005 Nisbet had sold the bach.

Judge Melanie Harland declined Nisbet's application for a discharge without conviction, saying if the reparation was paid, a conviction would be the only penalty, The Dominion Post reported.

Nisbet was bankrupted last year.

Defence lawyer Noel Sainsbury said Nisbet was able to use funds from a family trust, but would need time to do so.

Judge Harland set the value of the bach at $27,500 and remanded the case until August 24, by which time reparation would be paid or a further penalty would be considered.

- NZPA